N.C. State pulls away from Ga. Tech, 82-76

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd February, 20:07 2024

Jan 27, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts looks on against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. credits: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

D.J. Horne scored 26 points and Jayden Taylor added 21 as host North Carolina State took control in the second half and recorded an 82-76 victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.

The Wolfpack (15-7, 7-4 ACC) improved to 11-2 at home and gave coach Kevin Keatts his 200th career victory thanks to Horne and Taylor and an effective four-guard lineup.

Horne and Taylor were a combined 14-for-35 from the field overall but combined for 29 of North Carolina State's 47 points in the second half. It marked the first game this season the Wolfpack produced multiple 20-point scorers.

Horne scored 16 points in the second and hit consecutive shots to start the decisive 24-4 run which turned a six-point deficit into a 62-48 edge with 8:54 left. Taylor finished one shy of his season high and scored 13 after halftime, including a dunk that capped the big run.

Casey Morsell added 15 and D.J. Burns Jr. pulled down 10 rebounds as the Wolfpack survived shooting 37.7 percent and 29 percent from 3-point range.

Miles Kelly scored 20 points for Georgia Tech (10-12, 3-8), which lost for the fourth time in five games. Naithan George, who hit the game-winning basket to beat No. 3 North Carolina on Tuesday, added 18 as the Yellow Jackets shot 41.4 percent and were 17-for-25 from the foul line.

The Wolfpack took an early 13-4 lead and missed 11 straight shots until Taylor's three-point play and layup off a turnover made it 20-13 with about 10 minutes left.

Taylor's three-point play put the Wolfpack ahead 25-15 with 8:53 left but Kelly hit a jumper that capped an 11-0 run and forged a 29-29 deadlock with 3:02 to go. Kelly sank a triple with 69 seconds left that helped the Yellow Jackets take a 36-35 lead by halftime.

Kelly's 3 put Georgia Tech up 44-38 a little over two minutes in the second but NC State ripped off 12 straight points for a 50-44 lead on a hoop by Michael O'Connell before taking control.

After George's trey made it 71-56 with 2:15 left, the Wolfpack iced the game by hitting nine free throws in the final two minutes.

—Field Level Media

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